Sioned Williams

IN THEIR OWN WORDS

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Every one of 73 lines we hold for Sioned Williams, in date order, each linked to its source. Free to read, in full, without an account. Page 1 of 2.

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1. “Yes, 4.5. It seemed a bit confusing to me, as regards—. It was quite a strongly worded letter saying that they didn't have a role in the 'Strengthening and advancing equality and human rights in Wales' report, so I just thought that maybe we need to get some clarity about their involvement from the Cabinet Secretary, because it sounded to me as if they were not content about the way that they had been included in the report.”

   Original: “Ie, 4.5. Roedd e'n edrych braidd yn ddryslyd i fi o ran—. Roedd e'n llythyr eithaf cryf yn dweud nad oes ganddyn nhw rôl yn yr adroddiad 'Strengthening and advancing equality and human rights in Wales', felly efallai ein bod ni angen cael eglurder am eu hymgysylltiad nhw gan yr Ysgrifennydd Cabinet, achos roedd e'n swnio i fi fel eu bod nhw'n anfodlon am y ffordd maen nhw wedi cael eu cynnwys yn yr adroddiad.”

   Senedd Cymru9 December 2024Official translation from WelshContains information from the Record of Proceedings of Senedd Cymru, licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0Source ↗

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2. “Yes, just very briefly. I wanted to return to the point in terms of what you'd like to see change. We talked about data and that perhaps the Welsh Government could help local authorities with that. But you also, Keryl, mentioned the fact that there isn't a designated official as there used to be, with a HECA official. Would you like to see something happening in that area, something that the Welsh Government could advise local authorities to do in terms of their structures, and having an individual specifically responsible for this, or the creation of a team for this work? Given that we know that fuel poverty isn't going away, and we know what the situation is in terms of the housing stock, it is something that needs a focus, isn't it?”

   Original: “Ie, jest yn gyflym iawn. Dwi jest eisiau mynd nôl at y pwynt ynglŷn â beth fyddech chi'n hoffi ei weld yn newid. Gwnaethom ni sôn am ddata ac efallai gallai Llywodraeth Cymru helpu awdurdodau lleol gyda hynny. Ond gwnaethoch chi, Keryl, sôn hefyd am y ffaith nad oes bellach swyddog penodedig yn y ffordd oedd yn arfer bod pan oedd yna swyddog HECA. A fyddech chi’n hoffi gweld rhywbeth ynglŷn â hynny'n digwydd, rhywbeth y gallai Llywodraeth Cymru gynghori awdurdodau lleol i’w wneud o ran eu strwythur, o ran sut mae ganddyn nhw rywun yn benodol gyfrifol neu'n creu tîm ar gyfer y gwaith yma? Gan ein bod ni’n gwybod nad yw tlodi tanwydd yn mynd i ffwrdd, a’r sefyllfa sydd gyda ni o ran y stoc dai, mae’n rhywbeth sydd angen ffocws, onid yw e?”

   Senedd Cymru9 December 2024Official translation from WelshContains information from the Record of Proceedings of Senedd Cymru, licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0Source ↗

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3. “To return to that point that was asked earlier in terms of what the Welsh Government could do to support local authorities to operate in the ways that you operate, we know, of course, that every local authority doesn't operate perhaps with that kind of data, with that capacity, or perhaps they don't understand why the data is valuable, and centralise it perhaps within one officer. Are these things that the Welsh Government could help you with?”

   Original: “I ddod yn ôl at y pwynt a ofynnwyd yn gynharach ynglŷn â beth allai Llywodraeth Cymru ei wneud i gefnogi awdurdodau lleol i weithredu yn y ffyrdd rŷch chi'n gweithredu, rŷn ni'n gwybod efallai nad yw pob un awdurdod lleol ddim yn gweithredu gyda'r math o ddata, ddim gyda’r gallu, neu ddim yn deall pam fod y data’n werthfawr, ac yn canoli'r peth efallai o fewn un swyddog. Ai dyma'r pethau y gallai Llywodraeth Cymru helpu gyda nhw?”

   Senedd Cymru9 December 2024Official translation from WelshContains information from the Record of Proceedings of Senedd Cymru, licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0Source ↗

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4. “David referred to the fact that you don't use FRESH, but that you have created some sort of system of your own. Could I ask you why you did that, rather than using the FRESH mapping system? Was there a specific reason?”

   Original: “Roedd David yn cyfeirio at y ffaith nad ydych chi ddim yn defnyddio FRESH, ond eich bod chi wedi creu rhyw fath o system eich hunan. Alla i ofyn ichi pam wnaethoch chi wneud hynny, yn hytrach na defnyddio y system fapio FRESH? Oedd yna unrhyw reswm penodol?”

   Senedd Cymru9 December 2024Official translation from WelshContains information from the Record of Proceedings of Senedd Cymru, licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0Source ↗

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5. “Thank you, Chair, and good afternoon. I wanted to pursue the topic of data, in truth. It's obvious from the discussions that we've had so far that the statistics that are available from Welsh Government on fuel poverty are old statistics, and they are not sufficient, and you have had to use different ways of looking at the problem and who to target within your local authorities. So, could I just have your views generally in terms of that picture, in terms of the deficits that there are in the current data that Welsh Government have? Keryl.”

   Original: “Diolch, Gadeirydd, a phrynhawn da. Eisiau mynd ar ôl data ydw i mewn gwirionedd. Mae'n amlwg o'r sgyrsiau dŷn ni wedi eu cael hyd yn hyn, onid yw e, fod yr ystadegau sydd ar gael gan Lywodraeth Cymru ar gyfer tlodi tanwydd yn hen, a dyw e ddim yn ddigonol, ac rŷch chi wedi gorfod defnyddio ffyrdd eraill o edrych ar y broblem a phwy i dargedu o fewn eich awdurdodau chi. Felly, allaf i jest cael eich barn chi yn gyffredinol ynglŷn â'r darlun yna, ynglŷn â'r diffygion o ran y data presennol sydd gan Lywodraeth Cymru? Keryl.”

   Senedd Cymru9 December 2024Official translation from WelshContains information from the Record of Proceedings of Senedd Cymru, licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0Source ↗

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6. “Yes, and just to follow up on that point, clearly the human impact is huge in terms of creating illnesses, in terms of causing deaths, as you've already mentioned, and as Dr Hill has mentioned. But then in terms of the cost and the pressure that that places on public services, do you have any data on that?”

   Original: “Ie, jest i ddilyn ymlaen ar y pwynt yna, yn amlwg mae'r effaith ddynol yn un enfawr o ran creu salwch, o ran achosi marwolaeth, fel rŷch chi wedi sôn, ac mae Dr Hill wedi sôn. Ond o ran, wedyn, y gost a'r pwysau mae hynny yn ei roi ar wasanaethau cyhoeddus, oes gennych chi unrhyw fath o ddata ynglŷn â hynny?”

   Senedd Cymru9 December 2024Official translation from WelshContains information from the Record of Proceedings of Senedd Cymru, licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0Source ↗

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7. “I just wanted to ask, perhaps, Public Health Wales, and everyone truth be told, and the commissioner, in terms of that question about how Welsh Government are working with the UK Government to address fuel poverty, are you aware of any discussions that have happened in terms of things like the social tariff, or getting rid of or reducing standing charges—things that the Welsh Government did call on the previous Government to tackle? Are you aware of any discussions relating to those things?”

   Original: “Jest eisiau gofyn, efallai, i Iechyd Cyhoeddus Cymru, ac i bawb a dweud y gwir, ac i'r comisiynydd, o ran y cwestiwn yna ynglŷn â sut mae Llywodraeth Cymru'n gweithio gyda Llywodraeth y Deyrnas Gyfunol i fynd i'r afael â thlodi tanwydd, ydych chi'n ymwybodol o unrhyw sgyrsiau sydd wedi digwydd o ran pethau fel tariff cymdeithasol, neu gael gwared neu leihau'r standing charges —pethau wnaeth Llywodraeth Cymru alw ar y Llywodraeth flaenorol i'w taclo? Ydych chi'n ymwybodol o unrhyw sgyrsiau ynglŷn â hynny?”

   Senedd Cymru9 December 2024Official translation from WelshContains information from the Record of Proceedings of Senedd Cymru, licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0Source ↗

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8. “Thank you. That's an important point, isn't it? Just one final question. We've heard some evidence that far fewer people have been referred to or have been supported by the scheme in its new iteration than was the case previously. And we know of the need to scale up this programme in terms of the gravity and extent of fuel poverty in Wales. So, do you have any evidence of that? I'm thinking particularly in terms of Age Cymru and the commissioner. Have you heard that people have been not as successful—I'm talking about agencies here—in referring people to this programme, and they're not being accepted on it?”

   Original: “Diolch. Ie, mae hwnna'n bwynt pwysig, onid yw e? Un cwestiwn bach i orffen. Rŷn ni wedi clywed tystiolaeth bod llawer llai o bobl wedi cael eu cyfeirio at, neu wedi cael cymorth gan y cynllun yn ei fersiwn newydd nag yr oedd o'r blaen. Ac rŷn ni'n gwybod hefyd am yr angen, onid ŷm ni, i 'scale-o' lan y rhaglen yma o ran difrifoldeb a dyfnder tlodi tanwydd yng Nghymru. Felly, oes gyda chi unrhyw dystiolaeth o hynny? Dwi'n meddwl yn enwedig, efallai, o ran Age Cymru a'r comisiynydd. Ydych chi wedi clywed bod pobl wedi bod yn cael llai o lwc—asiantaethau, hynny yw—wrth gyfeirio pobl at y cynllun yma, ac nad ydyn nhw'n cael eu derbyn?”

   Senedd Cymru9 December 2024Official translation from WelshContains information from the Record of Proceedings of Senedd Cymru, licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0Source ↗

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9. “Thank you. What do you think are the main barriers to people taking up low-carbon technologies, for example air-source heat pumps or solar panels? Do you think the scheme does enough to support people in terms of their understanding of those, and also ongoing maintenance required in their homes?”

   Original: “Diolch. Beth ŷch chi’n meddwl yw’r prif rwystrau i bobl ddefnyddio technolegau carbon isel fel pympiau gwres ffynhonnell aer neu baneli solar? Ŷch chi’n meddwl bod y cynllun yn gwneud digon i gefnogi pobl o ran eu dealltwriaeth o hynny, a hefyd, efallai, y gwaith cynnal a chadw sydd angen ar eu tai?”

   Senedd Cymru9 December 2024Official translation from WelshContains information from the Record of Proceedings of Senedd Cymru, licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0Source ↗

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10. “Thank you. Just in terms of the Warm Homes programme that's being run by the Welsh Government at the moment, and they say that that is their main tool in tackling fuel poverty, do you think that the new iteration of the programme, which came in in April, secures the right balance between addressing fuel poverty and promoting decarbonisation? Perhaps if I could refer that to Ceri from Age Cymru: your paper asks that the Welsh Government conduct equality impact assessments to ensure that housing decarbonisation doesn't disproportionately impact low-income groups. So, to what extent do you feel that the equality impacts of current policies have been considered in planning the Warm Homes programme?”

    Original: “Diolch, Gadeirydd. Jest o ran y rhaglen Cartrefi Clyd sydd gan Lywodraeth Cymru ar hyn o bryd, ac maen nhw’n dweud dyma’u prif arf nhw wrth fynd i’r afael â thlodi tanwydd, ydych chi’n meddwl bod y fersiwn newydd o’r rhaglen, ddaeth i rym ym mis Ebrill, yn sicrhau’r cydbwysedd cywir rhwng trechi tlodi tanwydd a hyrwyddo datgarboneiddio? Efallai gallaf i gyfeirio at Ceri o Age Cymru: mae eich papur chi yn gofyn bod Llywodraeth Cymru yn cynnal asesiadau o'r effaith ar gydraddoldeb er mwyn sicrhau nad yw datgarboneiddio tai yn effeithio’n anghymesur ar grwpiau incwm isel. Felly, i ba raddau ŷch chi’n teimlo bod effeithiau polisïau o ran cydraddoldeb wedi cael eu hystyried wrth gynllunio’r rhaglen Cartrefi Clyd?”

    Senedd Cymru9 December 2024Official translation from WelshContains information from the Record of Proceedings of Senedd Cymru, licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0Source ↗

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11. “Ond fydd y ddeddfwriaeth a fydd yn ceisio eu diogelu ddim yn gwaredu ar y domen a adawyd gan y cwar yng Ngodre'r Graig yng nghwm Tawe, sydd wedi cau ysgol, achosi ei bod hi'n hollol amhosib i yswirio rhai cartrefi a rhai teuluoedd wedi gorfod symud o'u haelwydydd; nac yn diogelu trigolion Cwmllynfell, Gwauncaegurwen a Thai'r Gwaith rhag peryglon gadael corff enfawr o ddŵr ar ffawt daeargryn 150m uwchben llawr y cwm, gydag ochrau o rwbel rhydd. Hoffwn glywed, felly, beth mae'r Llywodraeth yn mynd i'w wneud i dawelu meddyliau'r cymunedau hyn. Ni ddylwn fyth dderbyn, yng ngeiriau cerdd Gwenallt i drychineb Aberfan, fod cynnyrch yn fwy gwerthfawr na gweithwyr, a chost na chartrefi.”

    Senedd Cymru27 November 2024Welsh verbatim · official translation covers the whole contributionContains information from the Record of Proceedings of Senedd Cymru, licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0Source ↗

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12. “A member of my family was a teacher at Ysgol Pant Glas, Aberfan. My late Bopa —Aunt—Hettie Williams and her class survived the tip 7 sludge, but I grew up with the abiding memory of the terror caused by the tips engrained in my family history. The harmful effects of industrial pollution were underlined this week, of course, in Cwmtillery. There is, at last, a promise of action. Across my region of South Wales West, there are more than 900 tips, with the largest number of any local authority area—over 600 of these tips—located in Neath Port Talbot, the county I live in. The vast majority of these are considered to be low risk, but 41 are within the higher risk categories. However, the legislation that will seek to make them safe will not get rid of the tip left by the quarry works in Godre'r Graig in the Swansea valley, which has closed a school, because it is completely impossible to insure some homes and some families have been forced to leave their homes; nor will it protect the residents of Cwmllynfell, Gwauncaegurwen and Tai’r Gwaith from the danger of leaving a huge body of water on a fault line approximately 150m above the valley floor, with walls of loose rubble. I'd like to hear, therefore, what the Government will seek to do to reassure these communities. We should never accept, in the words of Gwenallt's poem on the Aberfan disaster, the premise that products are more valuable than workers, or cost more important than homes.”

    Original: “Roedd aelod o'm teulu i'n athrawes yn Ysgol Pant Glas, Aberfan. Llwyddodd fy niweddar Fopa Hettie Williams a'i dosbarth oroesi slwj tip 7, ond fe dyfais i lan gyda'r atgof am arswyd y tipiau yn rhan o hanes y teulu. Mae effaith ddinistriol llygredd diwydiannol wedi ei danlinellu'r wythnos hon, wrth gwrs, yng Nghwmtyleri. Mae addewid, o'r diwedd, y bydd gweithredu. Ar draws fy rhanbarth i yng Ngorllewin De Cymru, mae mwy na 900 o domenni, gyda'r nifer uchaf o unrhyw ardal awdurdod lleol—dros 600 ohonynt—yng Nghastell-nedd Port Talbot, y sir ble rwy'n byw. Mae'r rhan fwyaf ohonyn nhw'n risg is, ond mae 41 o fewn y categorïau risg uwch.”

    Senedd Cymru27 November 2024Official translation from Welsh of the full contributionContains information from the Record of Proceedings of Senedd Cymru, licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0Source ↗

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13. “Do you believe in a wealth tax? Because that's what we advocated. You said we didn't want anybody to pay: we advocated, in our manifesto for the general election, for a tax on the most wealthy. That's how we said we would try and raise money for the services we need.”

    Senedd Cymru20 November 2024Contains information from the Record of Proceedings of Senedd Cymru, licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0Source ↗

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14. “Wedi clymu un llaw tu ôl eu cefnau, drwy addo peidio â gweithredu agwedd wirioneddol sosialaidd tuag at drethiant, maen nhw nawr yn rhoi gydag un llaw ac yn tynnu i ffwrdd â’r llall, ac mae pobl Cymru yn mynd i orfod ymdopi gyda hyn. Ac mae Llywodraeth Cymru unwaith eto yn mynd i orfod camu mewn i wneud yn iawn am hynny, i wneud yn iawn am effeithiau niweidiol Llywodraeth San Steffan ar Gymru. Ond y tro hwn, fydd na ddim pwyntio bys, na—gwneud esgusodion bydd hi, esgusodi, celu bai, nid ei dadlennu, nid ei alw mas. Rŷn ni’n glir taw diweddglo pendant ar lymder sydd ei angen, nid cyfrifyddu creadigol, ac mae ein cynnig ni yn dangos y camau cyntaf pwysig i alluogi hyn i ddigwydd.”

    Senedd Cymru20 November 2024Welsh verbatim · official translation covers the whole contributionContains information from the Record of Proceedings of Senedd Cymru, licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0Source ↗

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15. “Mae cefnogi'r sector yma yn gwbl ganolog i gydraddoldeb rhywedd, i sicrhau y dechrau gorau i bob plentyn, ac yn gonglfaen i'r strategaeth tlodi plant. Dim ond esiamplau yw'r rhain, esiamplau a fydd yn tanseilio gwaith cwbl ganolog i gefnogi'r rhai sydd angen ein cefnogaeth fwyaf. A thra bod Rachel Reeves yn mynnu bod llymder wedi dod i ben, y gwir yw bod eu mesurau hi am danseilio’r union haen o’r sector gyhoeddus sydd wedi cyflawni gymaint i warchod pobl Cymru o effeithiau mwyaf niweidiol llymder dros y degawd a hanner diwethaf. Mae’n tanlinellu yn glir fod strategaeth y Llywodraeth i adfer ein sector gyhoeddus yn seiliedig ar resymeg hollol ddiffygiol, achos fydd yna ddim adferiad os dim ond tynnu adnoddau i ffwrdd o un rhan o’r sector i’r llall rŷch chi’n ei wneud. Llymder yw hwnna; dyna’r diffiniad.”

    Senedd Cymru20 November 2024Welsh verbatim · official translation covers the whole contributionContains information from the Record of Proceedings of Senedd Cymru, licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0Source ↗

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16. “Sut gallwn ni sicrhau bod mwy o'n plant ifanc yn cael y cyfle i gael mynediad at ofal plant cynnar cyfrwng Cymraeg pan fod y Mudiad Meithrin yn dweud bod rhai o’u cylchoedd nhw nawr yn gorfod canfod hyd at 10 y cant yn fwy o'u cyllideb flynyddol ar gyfer costau staff? Gall darparwyr gofal ddim hawlio lwfans cyflogwyr, felly mae’r sector yn teimlo ergyd y mesurau hyn heb allu cael mynediad at y mesur polisi lliniarol. Maen nhw hefyd wedi eu cyfyngu o ran eu gallu i drosglwyddo'r costau hyn. Mae'n anodd iawn iddynt dorri staff i wneud hynny, achos gofynion rheoliadol, ac er bod cyhoeddiad diweddar Llywodraeth Cymru y bydd darparwyr gofal plant yn cael eu heithrio’n barhaol rhag ardrethi busnes i'w groesawu, fydd e ddim yn ddigonol i liniaru ar effaith y cynnydd yn eu costau.”

    Senedd Cymru20 November 2024Welsh verbatim · official translation covers the whole contributionContains information from the Record of Proceedings of Senedd Cymru, licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0Source ↗

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17. “Faint yn waeth fyddai sefyllfa rhai o’n dinasyddion mwyaf difreintiedig heb wasanaethau Cyngor ar Bopeth Cymru, sydd nawr yn wynebu costau ychwanegol o rhwng £125,000 a £180,000 y flwyddyn mewn rhai mannau o Gymru? Faint yn fwy ansicr fyddai cleifion canser Cymru heb gefnogaeth Tenovus Cymru a Marie Curie, sydd nawr yn wynebu costau ychwanegol o £250,000 y flwyddyn? Sut fedrwn ni obeithio mynd i’r afael â'r lefelau cywilyddus o dlodi yn ein cymdeithas heb gyfraniad elusennau fel Wastesavers Charitable Trust, sydd nawr yn wynebu costau ychwanegol o £107,000 y flwyddyn? Ac mae sectorau hanfodol eraill hefyd yn wynebu'r un bygythiad ac annhegwch. A hoffwn i sôn yn benodol am y sector gofal plant.”

    Senedd Cymru20 November 2024Welsh verbatim · official translation covers the whole contributionContains information from the Record of Proceedings of Senedd Cymru, licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0Source ↗

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18. “Ac wrth beidio ag ymrwymo o’r cychwyn i ariannu’r gost ychwanegol sy’n wynebu'r sector o’r codiad yng nghyfraniadau yswiriant gwladol cyflogwyr—cost does dim modd i'r sector hon ei hamsugno yn yr un modd â rhai busnesau mwy yn y sector breifat—mae Llywodraeth Starmer wedi creu’r argraff anffodus ac annerbyniol, dwi'n credu, taw rhyw fath o 'neis i'w chael' yw’r sector yma, sydd ddim yn haeddu’r un lefel o gefnogaeth â gwasanaethau statudol. Ond ble fyddai ymdrechion y Llywodraeth yma yng Nghymru i ddelio â phroblemau iechyd meddwl, er enghraifft, heb waith arwrol Mind, sydd nawr yn wynebu cost ychwanegol o £20,000 y flwyddyn yng Nghwm Taf Morgannwg yn unig?”

    Senedd Cymru20 November 2024Welsh verbatim · official translation covers the whole contributionContains information from the Record of Proceedings of Senedd Cymru, licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0Source ↗

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19. “Maen nhw hefyd yn darparu arbenigedd hanfodol wrth weithio mewn partneriaeth â gwasanaethau cyhoeddus, gan gyfrannu gwerth dros £6.6 biliwn o lesiant cymdeithasol ac economaidd i Gymru bob blwyddyn. Ond mae'r sector eisoes ar y dibyn, gyda chwyddiant wedi peryglu a gwasgu ei gwasanaethau a'u gallu i gadw a recriwtio staff. Roedd penderfyniad Llywodraeth Lafur San Steffan i godi'r cyllid roedd ei angen ar y Canghellor ar gyfer ei chynlluniau drwy roi pwysau ychwanegol ar y sector hon nid yn unig yn syndod, ond hefyd yn gwbl hurt. Roedd yn teimlo eu bod nhw wedi creu cynllun ar gefn paced sigarét yn hytrach na datblygu strategaeth gyllidol ofalus a thrylwyr dros y blynyddoedd diwethaf fel gwrthblaid.”

    Senedd Cymru20 November 2024Welsh verbatim · official translation covers the whole contributionContains information from the Record of Proceedings of Senedd Cymru, licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0Source ↗

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20. “When the effects of poverty and illness become evident through our constituents' experiences, Labour Governments at both ends of the M4 point fingers at Conservative austerity policies over the past 14 years. And I agree entirely that there is a great burden of blame to be shouldered among the ranks of Conservative Prime Ministers who were entirely open about their ideology of eviscerating public services, undermining the social welfare system while safeguarding the interests of their class, and allowing the gap between the wealthy and the poor to increase to a shocking degree. As we do not levy enough taxes on the wealthiest to fund the public services that we need and that the people of Wales deserve, our third sector is crucial in filling those gaps. They also provide vital expertise in working in partnership with public services, contributing over £6.6 billion-worth of social and economic benefit to the Welsh economy every year. But the sector is already on the brink, with inflation endangering and squeezing services and their ability to recruit and retain staff. The Labour Westminster Government’s decision to raise the funds that the Chancellor needed for her plans by placing additional pressure on this sector was not only surprising, but also senseless. It felt as though the plans had been drawn up on the back of a fag packet rather than drawing up a careful and thoroughly drawn-up financial strategy over the past few years in opposition. And by not committing from the outset to fund the additional costs facing the sector as a result of the increase in national insurance contributions—a cost that there is no way for this sector to absorb in the same way as larger businesses in the private sector can—Starmer’s Government has created the unfortunate and unacceptable impression, I believe, that this sector is a kind of 'nice to have', which doesn’t deserve the same level of support as statutory services. But where would the Government’s efforts to address mental health issues, for example, be without the heroic work done by Mind, which now faces an additional cost of £20,000 per annum in Cwm Taf Morgannwg alone? How much worse would the situation facing some of our most disadvantaged citizens be without Citizens Advice Cymru services, which now faces additional costs of between £125,000 and £180,000 per annum in some parts of Wales? How much more uncertain would the situation facing cancer patients in Wales be without the support of Tenovus Cymru and Marie Curie, which now face additional costs of £250,000 per annum? How can we hope to tackle the shamefully high levels of poverty in our society without the contribution of charities like Wastesavers Charitable Trust, which is now facing additional costs of £107,000 per annum? And other crucial sectors are also facing the same threat and unfairness. And I'd like to talk specifically about the childcare sector. How can we ensure that more of our young children have the opportunity to access early childcare through the medium of Welsh when Mudiad Meithrin says that some of their cylchoedd now have to find up to 10 per cent more in their budgets to pay staff costs? Childcare providers cannot claim employer's allowance, so the sector feels the impact of these measures without being able to access the mitigating policy measures. They're also limited in terms of their ability to offset these costs. It's very difficult for them to cut staff numbers to do so, due to regulatory requirements for care, and although the recent announcement by the Welsh Government that childcare providers will be permanently exempted from business rates is to be welcomed, this will not be enough to mitigate the impact of the increase in their costs. Supporting this sector is central to gender equality, to ensure the best possible start for every child, and is a cornerstone of the child poverty strategy. These are but a few examples, examples that will undermine the crucial task of supporting those most in need of our support. And while Rachel Reeves insists that austerity is at an end, the truth is her measures will undermine this very layer of the public sector that has achieved so much to shield the people of Wales from the most damaging impacts of austerity over the last decade and a half. It clearly underlines that the Government's strategy to restore our public sector is based on a defective rationale, because there will be no recovery or restoration if you're simply taking resources away from one part of the sector to give to another. That is austerity; that's the definition of austerity. With one hand tied behind their backs, due to a pledge not to adopt a truly socialist approach towards taxation, they're now giving with one hand and taking away with the other, and the people of Wales are going to have to cope with the impact of this. And the Welsh Government is once again going to have to step in to rectify that, to rectify the damaging effects of Westminster policy on Wales. But this time, there will be no pointing of fingers, no—excuses will be made and blame will be denied rather than highlighted or called out. We are clear that we need a conclusive end to austerity, rather than creative accounting, and our motion shows the first important steps to enable this to happen.”

    Original: “Pan fo effeithiau tlodi ac afiechyd yn dod yn glir drwy brofiadau ein hetholwyr, mae Llywodraethau Llafur ar ddau ben yr M4 yn pwyntio bys at bolisïau llymder y Torïaid dros y 14 mlynedd diwethaf. Ac rwy'n cytuno'n llwyr fod yna fai aruthrol i'w ganfod yn y rhes o Brif Weinidogion Torïaidd a oedd yn gwbl agored am eu hideoleg o ddiberfeddi gwasanaethau cyhoeddus, o danseilio'r system les cymdeithasol wrth warchod buddiannau eu dosbarth, a chaniatáu i'r bwlch rhwng y cyfoethog a'r tlawd dyfu i raddau gwbl droëdig. Gan nad ydym yn codi digon o drethi ar y mwyaf cyfoethog i ariannu'r gwasanaethau cyhoeddus rŷn ni eu hangen ac y mae pobl Cymru yn eu haeddu, mae ein trydydd sector yn gwbl allweddol i lenwi'r bylchau hynny.”

    Senedd Cymru20 November 2024Official translation from Welsh of the full contributionContains information from the Record of Proceedings of Senedd Cymru, licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0Source ↗

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21. “Rwy'n obeithiol y bydd National Energy Action Cymru yn medru ei chynorthwyo, ond mae sefyllfa fy etholwr yn codi'r cwestiwn o ran pa drafodaethau ydych chi'n eu cael gyda Llywodraeth San Steffan er mwyn sicrhau bod pobl fregus sy'n gorfod meddwl am gynllunio pob ceiniog o wariant ddim yn cael eu gadael mewn argyfwng, yn hytrach na lle gwell o ran eu costau gan gynlluniau atal tlodi tanwydd. Ydych chi'n hyderus bod cynlluniau Llywodraeth Cymru yn cynnig lefel ddigonol o ofal a chyngor wedi i'r mesurau effeithlonrwydd ynni gael eu gosod yng nghartrefi pobl?”

    Senedd Cymru20 November 2024Welsh verbatim · official translation covers the whole contributionContains information from the Record of Proceedings of Senedd Cymru, licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0Source ↗

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22. “Thank you, Cabinet Secretary. I volunteer at a foodbank in the Swansea valley and one woman who regularly attends the foodbank had asked for help because she had seen her energy bills shoot up recently and was struggling to cope. She was eligible for support under the ECO4 scheme, which is funded by the UK Government, and she received solar panels, insulation work and had a new heating system. But now, even though she can prove that her bills have risen since the work undertaken as part of this scheme was completed, and needs to discuss what could be the cause of these increases, those who did the work are not available to help her. I'm hopeful that National Energy Action Cymru will be able to assist her, but my constituent’s plight raises the question, Cabinet Secretary, as to what discussions you are having with the UK Government to ensure that vulnerable people who have to plan every penny that they spend aren’t left in crisis, rather than in a better position in terms of their costs by fuel poverty prevention schemes. Are you confident that the Welsh Government’s plans offer a sufficient level of protection and advice after these energy efficiency measures are installed in people’s homes?”

    Original: “Diolch, Ysgrifennydd Cabinet. Rwy'n gwirfoddoli mewn banc bwyd yng nghwm Tawe ac roedd un fenyw sy'n dod yn gyson i'r banc bwyd wedi gofyn am help gan ei bod hi wedi gweld ei biliau ynni yn saethu lan yn ddiweddar ac yn cael trafferth i ymdopi. Roedd hi'n gymwys am gymorth gan gynllun ECO4 sy'n cael ei ariannu gan Lywodraeth y Deyrnas Gyfunol a chafodd hi baneli solar, gwaith inswleiddio a system wresogi newydd. Ond nawr, er ei bod yn gallu profi bod ei biliau wedi codi ers i'r gwaith dan y cynllun gael ei gwblhau, ac angen trafod beth allai fod yn achosi hyn, dyw'r rhai a wnaeth y gwaith ddim ar gael i'w helpu.”

    Senedd Cymru20 November 2024Official translation from Welsh of the full contributionContains information from the Record of Proceedings of Senedd Cymru, licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0Source ↗

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23. “When the Wales Governance Centre requested information, for instance, on how many Welsh women in prison are pregnant or are mothers to children under 18, the Ministry of Justice refused to release that data, although we know that separation for women from their children is often cited as one of the most distressing aspects of imprisonment, with profound impacts on mental health. Dr Jones's report makes it clear that the situation for Welsh female prisoners isn't improving, and underlines the need for Wales-only data. So, how does the Welsh Government propose to identify and address the challenges that are seriously impacting the way that Welsh women are treated by the criminal justice system? And could you provide an update on the progress towards establishing the residential women's centre in Swansea?”

    Senedd Cymru20 November 2024Contains information from the Record of Proceedings of Senedd Cymru, licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0Source ↗

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24. “Diolch, Cabinet Secretary. The majority of women in the criminal justice system are victims of violence, domestic abuse and sexual violence. Nearly 60 per cent of women who offend have experienced domestic abuse. The criminal justice system is failing Welsh women, as recently highlighted once again by the research of Dr Rob Jones, in his latest report. The Welsh Government's women's justice blueprint is meant to offer a fresh approach to female offending, but instead of seeing a decrease in the number of women in Wales, we're on track to witness an increase, according to Dr Jones's research.”

    Senedd Cymru20 November 2024Contains information from the Record of Proceedings of Senedd Cymru, licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0Source ↗

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25. “Campaigners such as the Suzy Lamplugh Trust say that we need to recognise stalking as a distinct and urgent threat, and this should have a distinct and proper response, a proactive approach that targets stalking directly, intervenes early and supports victims. So, has the Welsh Government explored the possibility of introducing a tackling stalking plan to complement the VAWDASV strategy? And what steps are you taking to ensure that public sector professionals, such as those in healthcare, receive independent specialist training on handling stalking cases? Diolch.”

    Senedd Cymru20 November 2024Contains information from the Record of Proceedings of Senedd Cymru, licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0Source ↗

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26. “The vigil helped us remember those women whose lives have been lost due to male violence. Yesterday, you asked us all to recommit ourselves to recognising that women should feel safe in public—safe to go out, safe to walk the street. Stalking often starts with minor obsessive behaviours, but can escalate to harassment and even deadly violence. It's one of the most significant predicators of femicide. According to the latest crime survey for England and Wales, one in five women have experienced stalking, and black women are also more likely to be stalked. But conviction rates are still alarmingly low, with only 1.7 per cent of cases resulting in a conviction.”

    Senedd Cymru20 November 2024Contains information from the Record of Proceedings of Senedd Cymru, licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0Source ↗

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27. “And have you evaluated what implications the UK Government's decision to increase national insurance contributions has for these third sector organisations who support survivors in Wales?”

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28. “Welsh Women's Aid's upcoming state of the sector report, which will be published on 10 December and of which I've received an advance copy as chair of the cross-party group on violence against women and children, highlights the ongoing issue of short-term funding in the VAWDASV sector in Wales, with most grants only lasting 12 months, and, of course, this adversely affects staff recruitment, retention and the ability to provide trauma-informed support. And the issue of the need for sustainably funded services is also highlighted, of course, in the national advisers' annual report, published this week. So, does the Cabinet Secretary acknowledge that we need to see sustainable long-term funding models to ensure services can plan effectively and provide uninterrupted support to survivors?”

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29. “Diolch, Llywydd. Cabinet Secretary, both you and I and all those present held powerful testimony on Monday evening at the candlelit vigil held here at the Senedd to support the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and the White Ribbon campaign. It's always heartbreaking to hear survivors bear witness to the impact of the terrible violence they have suffered at the hands of men. But we also heard about how survivors find light in that darkness, and we know that specialist support services are often the path to that light.”

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30. “Wales is now the only nation within the UK where passenger numbers are still lower than before the pandemic, despite the emergency investment in maintaining services the First Minister outlined yesterday. So, can I ask whether the Cabinet Secretary will consider an increase to bus funding for services in the budget? What actions are the Welsh Government taking now to ensure passenger numbers grow in order to make more routes sustainable, ahead of the introduction of the bus Bill? And are you looking at and assessing the impact of and learning from initiatives both here and outside of Wales, such as the Scottish Government’s free transport for young people scheme, or local initiatives such as that in my region of seasonal free bus travel by Swansea Council? Diolch.”

    Senedd Cymru20 November 2024Contains information from the Record of Proceedings of Senedd Cymru, licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0Source ↗

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31. “Diolch. Since its introduction over 10 years ago, the bus services support grant has remained static at £25 million. If it had risen in line with the consumer price index, it would be worth £34 million today. The Confederation of Passenger Transport Cymru recently published research showing that every additional pound of investment into improving bus services generates nearly £5 of benefit to the economy, and also to the environment and people’s well-being. So, while I'm proud to say that communities in my region will be at the forefront of the move to franchised bus services once the Government bring forward the highly anticipated bus Bill, the local network continues to face enormous challenges.”

    Senedd Cymru20 November 2024Contains information from the Record of Proceedings of Senedd Cymru, licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0Source ↗

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32. “The Welsh Government has not yet made an official statement in response to the Hughes report, but in a reply to a written question, you said that you'd asked officials to review its recommendations and to ensure the best course is pursued so that affected people in Wales are not treated any differently. So, could you give an update, please, and include how the treatment of mesh patients like my constituent will be included in the women's health plan, what funding is being allocated to them, and what conversations have happened with the new Westminster Government around the UK-wide response to the Hughes report? Diolch.”

    Senedd Cymru19 November 2024Contains information from the Record of Proceedings of Senedd Cymru, licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0Source ↗

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33. “'I was told I was having a gold standard procedure that would change my life. It did. After approximately 13 operations and procedures, I am now waiting to have my large bowel removed and I've been left with pain and disabilities.' These are the words of a constituent of mine after she was fitted with a vaginal mesh. While we are still waiting for the long-promised women's health plan, the initial discovery report by the NHS Wales national strategic clinical network for Women's health doesn't mention vaginal mesh. The Hughes report, published in February by the Patient Safety Commissioner for England, recommended that 'government has a responsibility to create a...scheme providing financial and non-financial redress for those harmed'.”

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34. “Felly, mae'r NSPCC wedi bod yn galw ar Lywodraeth Cymru, a hoffwn i glywed ymateb yr Ysgrifennydd Cabinet i hyn, i ymrwymo i gyllid cynaliadwy hirdymor ar gyfer y gefnogaeth arbenigol yma i blant a phobl ifanc sy'n oroeswyr o drais domestig, achos bod y diffyg darpariaeth yn hysbys yng Nghymru. Mae Cymorth i Ferched Cymru yn dweud bod y gyllido ar gyfer y math hanfodol yma o gefnogaeth yn anghyson iawn dros Gymru. Felly, diolch Mabon.”

    Senedd Cymru13 November 2024Welsh verbatim · official translation covers the whole contributionContains information from the Record of Proceedings of Senedd Cymru, licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0Source ↗

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35. “As chair of the cross-party group on violence against women and children, I would like to thank Mabon for bringing this important debate before us. We do have to continue to discuss domestic violence, and what's revealed in the report is heartbreaking and unacceptable. I look forward to reading the full report. I would like to invite you to come to the cross-party group perhaps to present the conclusions and recommendations of the report. And I'm pleased that you raised the impact on children. What you said in terms of the lack of provision, that also partly stems from the fact that there is no sustainable long-term funding for those specialist services that provide support to child survivors. So, the NSPCC has been calling on the Welsh Government, and I'd like to hear the Cabinet Secretary's response to this, to commit to sustainable long-term funding for that specialist support for children and young people who are survivors of domestic violence, because the lack of provision is well known in Wales. Women's Aid Wales say that funding for this crucial support is very inconsistent across Wales. So, thank you Mabon.”

    Original: “Fel cadeirydd y grŵp trawsbleidiol ar drais yn erbyn menywod a phlant, hoffwn i ddiolch i Mabon am ddod â'r ddadl bwysig yma gerbron. Mae'n rhaid inni gadw i siarad am drais domestig ac mae'r hyn sy'n cael ei ddadlennu yn yr adroddiad yn dorcalonnus ac yn annerbyniol. Dwi'n edrych ymlaen at ddarllen yr adroddiad cyfan. Hoffwn eich gwahodd chi i ddod i'r grŵp trawsbleidiol efallai i gyflwyno casgliadau ac argymhellion yr adroddiad. Ac rwy'n falch i chi godi'r effaith ar blant. Roedd yr hyn yr oeddech chi'n sôn amdano fe o ran y diffyg darpariaeth—mae hynny hefyd yn deillio yn rhannol o'r ffaith does yna ddim cyllido hirdymor cynaliadwy ar gyfer y gwasanaethau arbenigol sydd yna i roi cymorth i oroeswyr sy'n blant.”

    Senedd Cymru13 November 2024Official translation from Welsh of the full contributionContains information from the Record of Proceedings of Senedd Cymru, licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0Source ↗

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36. “As I've stated before, it's a matter of deep historical and social justice should these communities that gave so much be asked to continue to bear the brunt of environmental hazards and safety risks. It's essential we listen to the voices of the affected communities in finding solutions that prioritise their safety and well-being, because they've simply been fobbed off for too long. The former climate change Minister said to me, in a debate on this topic, that 'It is the moral responsibility of the UK Government to remediate the legacy of the industrial heritage of the whole of the UK.' If the Welsh Government believes that the new UK Government has accepted that responsibility, then the people of Cwmllynfell and Tairgwaith must see long-needed and much-deserved fairness and justice in action. Diolch.”

    Senedd Cymru13 November 2024Contains information from the Record of Proceedings of Senedd Cymru, licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0Source ↗

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37. “In its response to recommendation 6, which calls on the Welsh Government to engage with the UK Government and local government to determine how to address the funding shortfall for site restoration, the Government states its position that it needs a sustained programme of investment to make sites safe and sustainable for the future, and that the UK Government must contribute to a long-term reclamation programme. 'With two Labour governments working together', it states, 'there is now an opportunity to develop a shared UK and Welsh Government plan.' A start was made in the recent UK budget, with £25 million allocated, so will funding an independent assessment of the safety of the water-filled void at East Pit be able to be found from this initial funding?”

    Senedd Cymru13 November 2024Contains information from the Record of Proceedings of Senedd Cymru, licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0Source ↗

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38. “They've approached various public bodies, asking that surveys and reports from qualified indemnified chartered engineers and hydrologists are undertaken, but, and I quote one of my constituents, they feel 'passed from pillar to post with nobody willing to accept responsibility'. That's why, as the report recommends, it's so essential that the responsibilities of all relevant bodies be clarified, proper engagement takes place, to ensure that all necessary safety concerns are properly and independently assessed, and that appropriate measures are fully funded and then undertaken swiftly.”

    Senedd Cymru13 November 2024Contains information from the Record of Proceedings of Senedd Cymru, licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0Source ↗

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39. “And I should say, as we heard from Altaf Hussain, this area has an active earthquake fault, with an earthquake measuring 4.6 on the Richter scale occurring in 2018. This isn't just a historic scar of former industrial works, because it is a wound that is still very much open, causing pain and anxiety for so many in the surrounding communities. And to echo language in the report, opencast mines provided enormous benefits to private companies at the expense of public authorities and communities. The companies first made their profits, then made their promises, but when it came time to fulfil their obligations, they made their exit. And now, for the residents who are left with what remains, no clear path exists to them to seek assurances.”

    Senedd Cymru13 November 2024Contains information from the Record of Proceedings of Senedd Cymru, licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0Source ↗

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40. “I think it's just worth reiterating the situation there. The plan was to progressively fill the void left by the opencast mine, as operations wound up, but then those plans were scrapped in favour of an elaborate restoration plan that would include a leisure resort. The Chair talked about these plans changing frequently. Over 10 years has passed since those plans were unveiled, and I can assure you there's been little movement on that front. Extensions to mining operations had been provided, but in more recent years, operations ceased and then the void began to fill with water. It's now filled with some 40 million cu m of water—a large body of water sitting 150m above the valley floor, no constructed dam to retain the water.”

    Senedd Cymru13 November 2024Contains information from the Record of Proceedings of Senedd Cymru, licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0Source ↗

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41. “I too would like to share my thanks to members of the Climate Change, Environment and Infrastructure Committee for their work in delivering this essential report, and I would like to echo what Delyth Jewell said, that I think that this should mark a turning point. This is a matter of utmost importance to many of my constituents. I'd like to associate myself with the calls made by Altaf Hussain regarding East Pit and Margam, because since being elected, I have received regular correspondence from, and been in frequent dialogue with, groups of residents in Cwmllynfell and Tairgwaith regarding the concerns about East Pit. I've shared these concerns in previous debates on this, and related matters, asked questions to relevant Members of the Government, and some of these residents were able to give evidence to the committee.”

    Senedd Cymru13 November 2024Contains information from the Record of Proceedings of Senedd Cymru, licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0Source ↗

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42. “Oes yna werthusiad wedi ei wneud eto o gynnydd hyd yma, er mwyn cynnig gobaith a thystiolaeth gadarn i rieni fel fi?' Rhaid inni wrando ar leisiau'r teuluoedd sydd wrth galon yr ymchwiliad hwn, ac ar y llais sydd wedi cael ei roi gan yr adroddiad hwn, fel dywedodd Betsan Gower Gallagher, i'r plant hynny sydd heb lais.”

    Senedd Cymru13 November 2024Welsh verbatim · official translation covers the whole contributionContains information from the Record of Proceedings of Senedd Cymru, licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0Source ↗

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43. “Yn ei hymateb i gasgliad 1, mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn nodi'r gwariant sydd wedi bod i gefnogi plant ag anghenion dysgu ychwanegol, ac i greu darpariaeth arbenigol newydd. Hoffwn i, wrth orffen, nodi ymateb un arall o'm hetholwyr i sydd â mab sydd ag awtistiaeth. Gwnaeth e fy e-bostio i am ymateb y Llywodraeth i'r adroddiad. 'Fy mhryder mwyaf', meddai, 'yw bod Llywodraeth Cymru yn hoffi taflu ffigyrau mawr at y rhaglen ADY, ond fel rhieni a phobl sy'n cael eu heffeithio yn uniongyrchol gan y rhaglen, dŷn ni ddim yn gweld cynllun manwl ynglŷn â sut yn union mae'r arian yn cael ei wario, beth yw'r allbynnau a sut y maen nhw'n gwella.”

    Senedd Cymru13 November 2024Welsh verbatim · official translation covers the whole contributionContains information from the Record of Proceedings of Senedd Cymru, licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0Source ↗

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44. “Mae argymhelliad 5 yn enwedig yn un sy'n adleisio casgliadau ein hadroddiad ni ar y Pwyllgor Cydraddoldeb a Chyfiawnder Cymdeithasol, sef yr angen i Lywodraeth Cymru weithredu i symleiddio’r amrywiol ffrydiau ariannu sydd ar gael i ddarparwyr gofal plant. Heb gymryd camau pendant i greu system ddi-dor, hygyrch a chyson drwy Gymru, fydd yna ddim datrysiad i'r cwestiwn o sicrhau darpariaeth ddigonol. Hoffwn i hefyd adleisio yr hyn glywsom ni gan Carolyn Thomas o ran argymhelliad 32. Mae Guide Dogs Cymru hefyd yn bryderus iawn fod Llywodraeth Cymru wedi gwrthod yr argymhelliad yma. Maen nhw'n teimlo'n gryf bod y bwlch cyrhaeddiad sy'n cael ei brofi gan blant a phobl ifanc sydd â nam ar eu golwg angen cynllun clir gyda thargedau wedi'u gosod allan, a bod modd wedyn monitro a chraffu ar hynny.”

    Senedd Cymru13 November 2024Welsh verbatim · official translation covers the whole contributionContains information from the Record of Proceedings of Senedd Cymru, licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0Source ↗

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45. “Heb fynediad at yr un addysg a gofal, mae plant anabl yn cael eu hanfanteisio yn sylweddol, gan osod rhwystrau i'r dewisiadau sy'n cwrdd â'u hanghenion a'u dyheadau wrth dyfu'n oedolion. Mae'r hyn a ddadlennodd y pwyllgor o ran diffyg mynediad at ofal plant addas a chynhwysol wedi ei gadarnhau hefyd a'i danlinellu gan dystiolaeth a glywodd y Pwyllgor Cydraddoldeb a Chyfiawnder Cymdeithasol yn ystod ein hail ymchwiliad i ddarpariaeth gofal plant. Mae'r dystiolaeth yn ddamniol ac yn dorcalonnus. Clywodd ein hymchwiliad ni fod yr arolwg blynyddol diweddaraf gan Coram Family and Childcare o ddigonolrwydd gofal plant awdurdodau lleol yn dangos mai dim ond 5 y cant o awdurdodau lleol Cymru oedd â digon o ofal plant ar gyfer plant ag anableddau ym mhob ardal.”

    Senedd Cymru13 November 2024Welsh verbatim · official translation covers the whole contributionContains information from the Record of Proceedings of Senedd Cymru, licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0Source ↗

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46. “Achos maen nhw wedi blino'n lân yn brwydro, ysgrifennu llythyron at bobl fel ni, at eu cynghorau, at swyddogion, at yr ysgolion, ffonio, e-bostio, aros a chael eu hanwybyddu neu eu troi i ffwrdd. Clywodd y pwyllgor dro ar ôl tro bod y brwydro parhaus yma dros hawliau sylfaenol yn effeithio ar eu hiechyd a'u gallu i weithio. Cafodd Betsan wybod gan swyddog yn ei chyngor hi y dylai hi efallai ystyried rhoi lan gwaith. Fel cadeirydd y grŵp trawsbleidiol ar hawliau dynol, hoffwn hefyd dynnu sylw yn benodol at y ffaith bod yr hawl i addysg nid yn unig yn hawl dynol sylfaenol, ond mae hefyd yn fodd hanfodol o leihau tlodi, yn fodd o alluogi bod pawb yn medru chwarae rhan mewn cymdeithas.”

    Senedd Cymru13 November 2024Welsh verbatim · official translation covers the whole contributionContains information from the Record of Proceedings of Senedd Cymru, licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0Source ↗

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47. “Yr hyn dwi'n meddwl sydd wrth wraidd yr adroddiad swmpus yma yw bod Llywodraeth Cymru yn tramgwyddo hawliau plant anabl wrth beidio â sicrhau mynediad cyfartal i addysg a gofal plant, a bod hynny yn cael effaith sylweddol. Mae effaith hyn oll, wrth gwrs, hefyd yn taro eu teuluoedd hefyd. Hoffwn ddiolch i un o'm hetholwyr, Betsan Gower Gallagher o Gwm Tawe, am roi tystiolaeth i'r pwyllgor am ei phrofiad hi fel mam efeilliaid ag awtistiaeth. Dywedodd hi bod ei phlant yn ddieiriau ond bod yr ymchwiliad wedi rhoi llais iddyn nhw. Disgrifiodd ei brwydr ddiddiwedd i gael y gefnogaeth y mae gan ei phlant hawl iddi. Rwyf wedi gweld â'm llygaid fy hunan y pwysau a'r rhwystredigaeth sy'n cael eu hachosi gan hyn ar Betsan, a hoffwn dalu teyrnged iddi hi a'r holl dystion rannodd eu profiadau â'r pwyllgor.”

    Senedd Cymru13 November 2024Welsh verbatim · official translation covers the whole contributionContains information from the Record of Proceedings of Senedd Cymru, licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0Source ↗

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48. “I’d like to thank the Children, Young People and Education Committee for this important report. I was a member of the committee at the beginning of the inquiry, and I have been following the work throughout. I am Plaid Cymru's spokesperson on children's rights, and I believe that children's rights are at the heart of this report. Wales is proud of the fact that we lead the way in considering children's rights when creating policies. The adoption of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, and its subsequent incorporation into the Rights of Children and Young People (Wales) Measure 2011, were progressive steps that sent out a clear signal that our nation is seeking to protect our youngest and most vulnerable citizens, not only from harm but also from being ignored, disregarded, and prevented from developing to their full potential. What I think is at the core of this voluminous report is that the Welsh Government is violating the rights of disabled children by not ensuring equal access to education and childcare, and that that is having a significant impact. The impact of all of this, of course, is hitting their families too. I'd like to thank one of my constituents, Betsan Gower Gallagher from the Swansea valley, for giving evidence to the committee about her experience as a mother of twins with autism. She said that her children were non-verbal, but that the inquiry had given them a voice. She described her endless struggle to obtain the support that her children are entitled to. I have seen with my own eyes the pressure and frustration that this is causing for Betsan, and I'd like to pay tribute to her and all the other witnesses who shared their experiences with the committee. Because they are exhausted from fighting, writing letters to people like us, to councils and officials, to schools, calling, e-mailing, waiting and being ignored or turned away. The committee heard time and time again that this ongoing struggle for basic rights was affecting their own health and their ability to work. Betsan was told by an official in the council that she should consider giving up work. As chair of the cross-party group on human rights, I'd also like to draw specific attention to the fact that the right to education is not only a basic human right, but is also an essential means of reducing poverty and a means of enabling everyone to play a part in society. Without access to the same education and care, disabled children are significantly disadvantaged, with barriers placed before the choices that meet their needs and their aspirations as they become adults. What the committee revealed, in terms of a lack of access to suitable and inclusive childcare, has been confirmed and emphasised by evidence heard by the Equality and Social Justice Committee, during our second inquiry into childcare provision. The evidence is damning and heartbreaking. Our inquiry heard that the latest annual survey conducted by Coram Family and Childcare regarding the adequacy of local authority childcare showed that only 5 per cent of local authorities in Wales had enough childcare for children with disabilities in each area. Recommendation 5 in particular echoes the conclusions of our report in the Equality and Social Justice Committee, namely the need for the Welsh Government to act in order to simplify the various funding streams available to childcare providers. Without taking robust action to create a system that is seamless, accessible and consistent throughout Wales, there will be no solution to the question of ensuring adequate provision. I'd like to echo what we heard from Carolyn Thomas in terms of recommendation 32. Guide Dogs Cymru is also very concerned that the Welsh Government has rejected that recommendation. They feel very strongly that the attainment gap that is being experienced by children and young people who are visually impaired needs a clear plan with targets set out, and it would then be possible to monitor and scrutinise that. In its response to conclusion 1, the Welsh Government notes the expenditure that has been undertaken to support children with additional learning needs and to create new specialist provision. In finishing, I would like to note the response of one of my constituents, who has a son with autism, who e-mailed me about the Government's response to the report. 'My biggest concern', he said, 'is that the Welsh Government likes to throw large figures at the ALN programme, but as parents and people who are directly affected by the programme, we never see a detailed plan about how exactly that money is being spent, what are the outputs and how do they improve things. Has there been an evaluation yet of the progress made thus far, in order to offer hope and robust evidence to parents like me?' We have to listen to the voices of the families who are at the heart of this inquiry, and to the voice that has been given in this report, as Betsan Gower Gallagher said, to those children who have no voice.”

    Original: “Hoffwn i ddiolch i'r Pwyllgor Plant, Pobl Ifanc ac Addysg am yr adroddiad pwysig hwn. Roeddwn i yn aelod o'r pwyllgor ar ddechrau'r ymchwiliad, ac rwyf wedi bod yn dilyn y gwaith ar ei hyd. Fi yw llefarydd Plaid Cymru ar hawliau plant, a dwi'n credu mai hawliau plant sydd wrth graidd yr adroddiad hwn. Mae Cymru’n ymfalchïo yn y ffaith inni arwain y ffordd o ran ystyried hawliau plant wrth greu polisïau. Roedd mabwysiadu Confensiwn y Cenhedloedd Unedig ar Hawliau’r Plentyn a’i ymgorffori wedyn ym Mesur Hawliau Plant a Phobl Ifanc (Cymru) 2011 yn gamau blaengar a oedd yn gosod arwydd clir bod ein cenedl yn ymgeisio i ddiogelu ein dinasyddion ieuengaf a mwyaf diamddiffyn, nid yn unig rhag niwed ond hefyd rhag cael eu hanwybyddu, eu diystyru, a’u hatal rhag datblygu i’w llawn botensial.”

    Senedd Cymru13 November 2024Official translation from Welsh of the full contributionContains information from the Record of Proceedings of Senedd Cymru, licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0Source ↗

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49. “Laws that ensure fair representation are not just about political balance; they're about restoring trust in political institutions, showing that they stand with and for all communities. Plaid Cymru, I'm glad to say, is currently working on a proposal to try and ensure gender equality within our candidate selection for the 2026 election as a first step to fair representation. This will be decided upon shortly by our governing bodies. So, what progress has been made on adopting a voluntary quota system such as the one we would have seen in legislation, in your own party, Cabinet Secretary?”

    Senedd Cymru12 November 2024Contains information from the Record of Proceedings of Senedd Cymru, licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0Source ↗

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50. “And what extra funding will be available for groups who are doing this kind of work to facilitate the aims of the guidance? So, I've outlined why I think it's too little. Now I'll explain why I think it's too late: because political parties, as we see in the news every day, are already discussing, even implementing, decisions on candidate selection. Candidates are already declaring their intention to stand. Voluntary guidance that won't be ready for months really isn't going to achieve that change for the Senedd elections of 2026. So, what conversations were held with the membership of parties likely to stand in Welsh elections before producing this guidance, and do you agree running this consultation over the Christmas period is far from ideal?”

    Senedd Cymru12 November 2024Contains information from the Record of Proceedings of Senedd Cymru, licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0Source ↗

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